We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please use the Contact information below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.
At the CFIA this commitment goes beyond the hiring process. We are committed to ensuring that all employees have equal, barrier-free access to opportunities; that they can work to the best of their abilities and fully participate in work events. Recognizing where situations require accommodations, we have established several supports and services in the workplace which help to ensure a fair, timely and consistent approach to access.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is a separate employer and is not subject to the Public Service Employment Act.
The CFIA considers applications from individuals who have legal status to work in Canada and does not give preference to Canadian citizens.
PROCESS DETAILS
The assessment of candidates will be conducted as follows:
Phase 1 – APPLICATION:
When submitting your application, you must answer two types of questions for the screening/assessment phase.
Depending on the number of applicants, volume management strategies such as, but not limited to, top-down approach on experience criteria may be used for the purpose of managing applications/candidates.
Phase 2- ASSESSMENT
The following competencies will be assessed through an interview and/or reference check:
EC1: Create vision and strategy
EC2: Achieve results
EC3: Uphold integrity and respect
EC4: Collaborate with partners and stakeholders
EC5: Judgement
EC6: Written communication
EC7: Oral communication
The Director, Centre for Plant Health, North Saanich is responsible for the management, planning and day-to-day operations of the laboratory. The director, Centre for Plant Health, North Saanich will report to the Network Director of the Plant Health Laboratories Division. The task associated with this position are as follows (but not limited to):
Plans and directs the implementation of laboratory programs/services in accordance with National and Directorate priorities, strategies and plans.
Contributes to the development of long-term goals.
Establishes and implements professionally recognized training and development programs.
Oversees the set-up and maintenance of state-of-the-art laboratory facilities to meet future requirements and promotes recognition and acceptance within the scientific community and industry of the Agency’s facilities.
Identifies opportunities, develops and negotiates approval of collaborative research agreements.
Assists research teams in defining the scientific premises and parameters of research projects.
Serves on local, national and international committees to promote and represent the perspective, programs and services of the Agency.
Provides professional guidance/direction to scientists and implements internal management policies and regulations to ensure effective use of financial resources, facilities and personnel.
We offer a bilingual, science-based environment, with excellent benefits, flexible hours, opportunities for advancement, an emphasis on learning and development, strong and active Diversity Networks, and a high level of employee satisfaction.
Our workforce is rich in unique identities, experiences and perspectives which are the foundation of our collective talent and strength!
A pool of qualified candidates will be established. This pool may be used to staff positions with similar qualifications, with various language requirements, various conditions of employment and/or various tenures including term appointments, indeterminate appointments, acting appointments and/or assignments.
Positions to be filled: 1
Your résumé.
A covering letter "A cover letter should be a maximum of 1,000 words. While there is no required format, it serves as an opportunity to highlight your relevant competencies as outlined in the position's duties. The essential education and experience requirements will be assessed through the screening questions. Your entire application, including the cover letter, will be evaluated for written communication skills."
ESSENTIAL EDUCATION
EEd1 - Graduation with a doctoral degree from a recognized university in a field of natural* or health sciences related to Food or Animal or Plant disciplines, OR the CFIA-accepted alternative.
The CFIA-accepted alternative is an acceptable master’s or bachelor’s degree coupled with acceptable research, training and experience. The degree must be from a recognized University and in scientific fields and specialties related to the duties of the position. The training and experience must clearly demonstrate the ability to do personal research of doctoral degree calibre.
*Natural Science refers to the scientific field related to the position being staffed and may include but is not limited to Food Science, Animal Science, Plant Science, Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Biotechnology and Bio-medical Sciences.
Applicants submitting education credentials from a non-Canadian institution are responsible for obtaining certification that these credentials are the equivalent of the Canadian education level required for the position.
Please refer to the link below for more information.
ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE
EE1 - Recent* and significant** experience in managing human, financial and material resources including supervision.
EE2 - Recent* experience in managing laboratory research and technology development programs.
EE3 - Recent* experience in providing scientific advice and guidance to senior management***.
EE4 - Experience in working and leading in a changing environment.
EE5 - Experience dealing with human resource issues.
*Recent experience is defined as experience normally acquired within the last five (5) years.
** Significant is defined as experience associated with having performed a broad range related activities which could normally be acquired over a period of approximately two (2) years or more.
***Senior management is defined as Director or equivalent and above.
ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES
EC1 - Create vision and strategy
EC2 - Achieve results
EC3 - Uphold integrity and respect
EC4 - Collaborate with partners and stakeholders
EC5 - Judgement
EC6 - Written communication
EC7 - Oral communication
English essential
LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
Official languages proficiency will not be assessed for entry to the pool. Candidates entered in the pool will have an opportunity for assessment of their official languages proficiency if and when they are considered for an appointment.
Information on language requirements
ASSET EXPERIENCE
AEx1 - Experience in managing diagnostic testing and/or research programs for Plant Health.
AEx2 - Experience in working under an internationally recognized laboratory quality assurance program.
AEx3 - Experience interpreting complex diagnostic test results.
AEx4 - Experience in dealing with occupational health and safety issues.
ASSET COMPETENCIES
AC1 - Ability to provide advice on national and international regulatory issues.
ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS
A representative workforce is a core priority for the CFIA. First consideration for an appointment may be given to qualified candidates who, at the time of application, indicate they belong to one of the following Employment Equity (EE) groups (self-declaration): Indigenous Peoples, Women, Members of Visible Minorities and Persons with Disabilities.
Note that the CFIA has chosen to adopt the Accessible Canada Act definition of Disability for self-declaration, which includes any physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication or sensory impairment – or a functional limitation – whether permanent, temporary or episodic in nature, evident or not, that, in interaction with a barrier, hinders a person's full and equal participation in society. Please apply this definition when completing the Self-Declaration Form for Members of Employment Equity Groups as part of your application.
Information on employment equity
Secret security clearance - Applicants who have not lived in Canada for the past five (or ten, depending on security level) years may be required to submit a police certificate from each country in which they have lived for six months or more during this period, as well as other documentation required for the security screening process. Failure to submit this documentation if requested will eliminate the application from further consideration.
The following conditions of employment are required for an appointment:
• Adherence to the CFIA Code of Conduct.
• Adherence to the CFIA Conflict of Interest and Post-Employment Policy.
• Compliance with the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector.
• Legal status to accept employment for the entire period of employment.
Any of the following conditions of employment may be required for an appointment:
• Willing and available to travel, as required.
• Willing and available to work irregular hours (e.g., days, nights, weekends, statutory holidays).
• Willing and available to work overtime, as required.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply.
Personal information is obtained for the purpose of determining an individual’s competence and suitability for employment. If a staffing complaint questions this determination, please be advised that relevant personal information you will provide in the course of this staffing process may be disclosed to substantiate the staffing decision.
Please ensure that you read ALL points listed below, as this section contains important information about the application process. Failure to read these notes and follow these instructions could result in your application missing required information which may result in your application being eliminated from this staffing process.
You are entitled to participate in the staffing process in the official language of your choice.
For this staffing process, the CFIA will communicate with you by email. You must provide a valid email address to which you wish to receive communication regarding this staffing process. You must ensure that you check your email account including spam, promotion or other folders regularly as there may be a deadline for responses. If you respond past the deadline you risk being removed from the staffing process.
Applicants who are screened in to this staffing process will be sent further information by email regarding what to expect during subsequent phases of this staffing process.
Depending on the number of applicants, CFIA's needs and CFIA HR plans, volume management strategies such as, but not limited to, top-down approach, cut-off scores, random selection and/or assessment may be used for the purpose of managing applications/candidates. Should a volume management strategy be used, communication regarding the application of the strategy will be provided to those candidates who are impacted.
During the application or assessment process both cheating and plagiarism are considered forms of misconduct and are not permitted. Any person found cheating, including those who help others to cheat, may be subject to removal from the staffing process.
A current copy of your resume may be used as another source to confirm the education and experience you will be asked to describe in the screening questions. It may also be reviewed by prospective hiring managers at the appointment stage.
For more information on how to apply to a CFIA staffing process, please visit: https://inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/job-opportunities/how-to-apply/eng/1340676915348/1340679107182
You may be asked to provide proof of your education credentials later in the staffing process.
Your ability to communicate effectively in writing will be assessed via the application.
Various assessment tools may be used in this staffing process such as: standardized tests, reference checks, written tests, an interview, etc.
All written and verbal communication obtained throughout the staffing process, from the time of application to close of process, may be used to evaluate the candidate.
We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.